Industrial Deafness Compensation Claims
Industrial Deafness (also known as occupational deafness) is a condition where your hearing will gradually deteriorate over a prolonged period as a result of being exposed to a working environment with excessive levels of noise.
For some people, the loss of hearing could be only temporary, but for others, it could be permanent, and it can affect both ears or just one ear depending on the circumstances of the damage to the ear.
In addition to hearing loss, industrial deafness can also manifest itself in the form of tinnitus, a condition where a person hears persistent ringing or whooshing sounds.
If you believe you have developed hearing damage as a result of poor work conditions and your employer has neglected their duty of care, you may be entitled to make an Industrial Deafness Claim.
How Much Compensation Can I Claim for Industrial Deafness?
When compensation is awarded for industrial deafness, several factors are considered. These include your age, the amount of damage (or loss of hearing), whether it is in both ears or just one ear, and the possibility of recovery. Having additional ailments like tinnitus can also play a part in increasing the sum you are awarded for your industrial deafness claim.
If you would like to see some detailed examples of compensation amounts for occupational deafness, please use our Industrial Deafness Compensation Claims Calculator
What Causes Industrial Deafness?
A person may suffer industrial deafness if they are subjected to excessive noise levels in a workplace for a prolonged period of time.
Any prolonged exposure to noise over 80 decibels can cause long-term hearing damage; this could have been caused by working with loud machinery or using loud equipment in the workplace.
If you believe you are suffering from occupational deafness and would like to seek expert legal advice with regards to your industrial deafness claim. Our expert panel of solicitors is waiting to help you. Don’t hesitate to start your industrial deafness claim today.
What are The Symptoms of Industrial Deafness?
The symptoms of industrial deafness include,
- Not understanding speech when there is background noise.
- Missing parts or entire sentences in a conversation.
- A constant buzzing, hissing, whistling, or ringing sound (or tinnitus) that occurs in one or both ears.
- Having to increase the volume of the radio or television to be able to hear properly.
- A temporary or permanent incapacity to hear in one or both ears.
If you were exposed to an environment that was too noisy, you may be able to file an industrial deafness claim. If your employer was negligent and never provided the correct training, adequate breaks or hearing protection, you may be entitled to compensation for your hearing loss.
The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 Act was formed to protect workers from being subjected to high levels of noise in the workplace. There have been several improvements introduced to the working environment, such as limits to noise from machinery and improved access to hearing protection, in addition to better training and education on the effects of hearing damage. Therefore, the number of employees of an organisation claiming deafness has fallen dramatically. Industries where high levels of noise will typically take place:
- Engineering
- Construction
- Mining
- Quarrying
- Factories
If you need expert legal advice and help to make an industrial deafness claim, our team are waiting to assist you to achieve the maximum compensation. Start your industrial deafness claim today with the help from Tylers Solicitors.
How Is Industrial Deafness Normally Diagnosed?
The industrial deafness diagnosis procedure will be carried out by an audiologist. The audiologist will seek to find out whether only one or both ears are affected. This will be followed by a test of the extent to which the effects are felt.
Where Can I Find More Information on Industrial Deafness?
You can find some information about hearing loss on the NHS website. It’s always best to consult your doctor at the soonest opportunity if you have concerns about your hearing. The Health and Safety Executive also has some useful information about the Noise Regulations that can be found on their website. If the hearing loss you’re experiencing shows no signs of improvement, it’s important to see your doctor for a diagnosis. If you believe your hearing damage could have been prevented, it’s important to seek the best legal representation. A competent solicitor will be able to offer you all the information you may be looking for from a legal standpoint, including how much you may be entitled to claim for the damage to your hearing. If you would like Tylers to access your case on a No-Win-No-Fee basis, please start your industrial deafness claim today.
Is There an Industrial Deafness Test That I Can Take?
Yes, as recommended above, it is best to seek medical advice from your GP at the soonest opportunity. If you have been exposed to excessive noise at work and are beginning to notice hearing problems, you should visit your GP at the soonest opportunity. Your doctor should ask about your previous work environments and then refer you to a specialist to have a hearing test.
A hearing test is a valuable tool in identifying the type of hearing loss you suffer from. Hearing tests usually take place inside a soundproof booth. When noise is heard, you will be required to indicate it with your finger. A hearing test consists of two parts – an air transmission and a bone conduction.
- In the air transmission test, sound enters your ear through the air, which then passes through your eardrum.
- In the bone conduction test, sound does not enter through the air but directly into the bones behind your ear.
The results of the hearing tests are plotted on a graph for both ears, which is known as an audiogram. If both of the graphs for bone conduction and air transmission match and have a distinct shape, then you may be suffering from noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). At certain frequencies there is a marked decrease in your hearing – this is evident by the audiogram, and shows that noise also contributes to hearing loss, not just age. Furthermore, this hearing test can detect hearing loss due to both ageing and noise exposure.
If you have been diagnosed with noise-induced hearing loss, simply start your industrial deafness claim with us today and our expert panel of solicitors will work to ensure you get the compensation you are entitled to. Please contact a solicitor as soon as you get the results of your hearing test. A claim must be made within a limited time frame from the date of knowledge of the injury and a hearing test is the last evidence that you have reasonable knowledge of the damage. Establishing the date a person gained knowledge is a complicated matter, and often predates the hearing test, so be aware that “time is of the essence”.
How Can I Make a Compensation Claim for Industrial Deafness?
When filing an industrial deafness claim, there are several factors to take into consideration. Every case is different, from the cause of deafness to the degree of hearing loss. A total hearing loss claim will be significantly higher than a partial hearing loss claim.
To have a successful claim for compensation for industrial deafness, you must do the following:
- Obtain a proper diagnosis of deafness and/or tinnitus from a qualified medical professional. If you decide to file a claim, you will need to produce an official medical report with details of your injury.
- Another requirement is proving your injury was caused by the work environment. You may need to collect documentary evidence regarding conditions at the workplace and witness statements from co-workers.
- It will also be necessary for you to show that your employer had the ability to predict that hearing loss might happen at work, but that he or she failed to take the necessary preventive measures, or that they did not direct you to the personal protective equipment (PPE) and training that could have prevented your noise-induced hearing loss.
All three of these elements are crucial for the success of your claim for industrial deafness. If you think you are entitled to compensation for industrial deafness, it is best to seek advice from an experienced solicitor as soon as possible to maximize your chances of filing a successful compensation claim. Start your industrial deafness claim with help from Tylers, our team are waiting to help you.
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Compensation Amounts
Industrial Deafness Compensation Claims Calculator
If you have developed Industrial Deafness and you want to know how much compensation an average claim is, please use our Compensation Calculator. It will give you a good indication of the right amount of compensation you could expect to win if your case was successful.
Minor Industrial Deafness Compensation Amounts
If the symptoms are infrequent and have a modest impact on your ability to hear, this may include mild tinnitus – you may be entitled to compensation.
£1,390 to £11,890
Moderate Industrial Deafness Compensation Amounts
You may be entitled to compensation if your industrial deafness negatively affects your day-to-day life, making it difficult to hear during conversations and shows no signs of improving. In these cases, you could expect compensation in the region of:
£11,890 to £26,040
Serious Industrial Deafness Compensation Amounts
If you have suffered partial hearing loss or persistent tinnitus as a result of poor working conditions you may be entitled to compensation to the sum of:
£23,670 to £39,940
Severe Industrial Deafness Compensation Amounts
If you have suffered a total loss of hearing, in one ear or both, you may be eligible to claim in the region of:
£24,950 to £96,150
Frequently Asked Questions
Who Can Make a Claim For Industrial Deafness Compensation?
Anybody who feels affected by the constant exposure to loud noise in the workplace can make industrial deafness claims. All you have to do is follow the necessary steps and make use of a competent solicitor.
Can I Claim For Suffering Industrial Deafness?
Do you find yourself struggling to hear after coming home from working in a noisy environment? Then you may be entitled to compensation. If you have worked for an organisation where the noise levels are high and you have not been provided protection for your ears, the organisation have not followed the rules and regulations of the Act above. Therefore, you should call our team to inform us about your situation, so we can fully understand your case when we claim for the compensation that you deserve.
Is Tylers a No-Win, No-Fee Solicitors for Industrial Deafness Compensation?
If your company’s insurance is obligated to pay your solicitor’s fee, then you can regard yourself as a no-win-no-fee solicitor. Services offered for industrial deafness claims, just like any other legal claims, come at a price. As such, the victim will be expected to pay the solicitor a certain amount regardless of whether the claim is successfully settled or not. However, a no-win-no-fee solicitor pays nothing for the services, regardless of whether the claim is a success or not.
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